SATURDAY, JUNE 27TH

I awoke at 5:45 a.m. Too excited to try to fall back to sleep! I had lots of time as my appointment at the Merle Nor- man Cosmetic STudio wasn't till nine.

I wore my blue pant-coat, as it was chilly, and my three inch heels. I had arranged for the owner of the boutique to come in early to do my face. (If you want to call attention to your- self, be sure to wear heels that clip/clop on the malls tile floor. I learned the hard way.)

Helen, the owner, and Lia, her daughter, are very under- standing. They've been doing makeovers and instructing me on proper makeup application and skin care. The makeover took about 40 minutes.

From there it was on to the beauty salon for the frosting. I made idle chit/chat with the pa- trons till my moment of truth finally arrived. Should I chicken out? Heck no!

Mary Ann proceeded to pull the frosting cap over my head. It's clear and tight fitting with numerous little holes. The hair is pulled through the holes to which the peroxide paste is ap- plied. She then put a plastic cov- ering and set me under a hot dry- er for 45 minutes.

After what seemed like an eternity, it was time to wash the peroxide off and take the cap off. What a relief! After a thor- ough rinsing, she applied ash ton- er. After five minutes, another rinsing and time for setting.

I finally got a peak at what was done. Though wet, it looked something like a marble cake. Then it was back under the dry- er, for another 40 minutes. (col- or treated hair takes longer to dry.)

While under the dryer, she polished my long nails, first using filler to smooth out the seams between my regular nails and the tips. She used a bright coral to match the makeup and blue print.

She also applied a few more lashes to create a thick fringe.

At long last, it was time for the comb-out. As soon as the rollers were out, she brushed it through. I was almost all blonde

up front! My heart was palpita- ting like never before. Just know- ing that it was my own hair thrilled me to no end. She pro- ceeded to style it, using lots of spray to hold the tease and swirls. The whole process took about three hours.

To me, my makeup looked a little harsh for being a blonde. I returned to Merle Norman to show them how my hair turned out. They loved it, finding it hard to believe the transforma- tion they helped create and wit- ness. They touched up my face and I headed home.

My wife wasn't there when I returned, but arrived minutes later. Her first reaction -- I went all blonde! She had called the President of the Phi Chapter that morning to learn if any other wives were coming to the meeting. When informed there were, she prepared to meet other TV's for the first time.

We hurriedly got everything (goodies) ready for our trip to Collingswood, N.J., a 31⁄2 hour drive from Dallas. We talked a- bout everything under the sun on the way down. She didn't know what to expect at the meeting. Making good time, we arrived about 6:40.

As always, we enjoyed great friendship. My wife wasn't the least bit uncomfortable and fit- ted right in, doing her thing in the kitchen and chatting with the girls. Her only minor slip all evening was when she called me Rick.

We headed for home about 12:45, arriving a little after four. After a good facial cleansing, it was nightie time.

SUNDAY, JUNE 28TH

I was up at nine. My wife slept till 11:30. I busied myself straightening up, doing my face and donning a light blue pant suit.

She prepared a brunch. After we ate, I washed my frost- ed hair and blew it dry. My wife then set it in hot rollers as our curling iron went on the blink, It came out soft and wavy.

Not being able to leave well enough alone, I asked her to switch my pierced earrings from

12

the hearts to the hoops. She couldn't get them out so I tackl- ed the removal. I simply had to have the hoops in! Well, after some prodding, I finally got the hearts out. Then I was afraid I wouldn't be able to insert the hoops. Surprisingly, they went through with little effort. (I can't wear them once I return to work, but plan to insert them everyday after work till the following morning until the openings be- come permanent.)

We then rehased last even- ing, enjoying the photos I had taken.

I'm elated to say that she's looking forward to returning a- gain. She really enjoyed the com- pany and experience.

The remainder of Sunday was spent reading the papers, watching TV and folding some clothes.

MONDAY, JUNE 29TH

My wife left a small list of things to do like throw the clothes in the washer, make the bed, wash a few dishes from the night before. . . simple things that the everyday housewife does without thinking about them.

I readied for another visit to an area beauty shop. It took me over a 1⁄2 hour to do my makeup, painstakingly following the twenty some steps in the Merle Norman program. I used the lightest shades I had to create a soft look to compliment the frosting.

Alice, the owner, is a mid- dle age beautician who works out of her home. She's done several TV's before. This was the first time for me.

She fashioned a style more becoming my age than the Satur- day styling. I was happy as all get out with her creation.

My wife picked up some magazines to pass the time Glamour, Woman's World, Cos- mo- all were enlightening, giv- ing me an insight on the latest styles, women's viewpoints on current issues, beauty tips, meal planning, etc.

TUESDAY, JUNE 30TH

I read the book titled